Switch



' June 15 1926.

,1 1,588,515 E. R. BARANY SWITCH Filed Dec lO, v1924 ATTORNEYS PatentedJune 15, 1926.

PATENT OFFICE.

EDMUND R: BARANY, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

SWITCH.

Application filed December 10, 1924. Serial No. 754,913.

This invention relates to switches and is herein illustrated as embodiedin a flashlight structure although not restricted to such use.

In the present day types of flashlights the one paramount objection tothe switch mechanism resides in the fact that the usual operatingmember, exterior of the casing, is susceptible to such a simple movementthat the circuit is often, under peculiar circumstances, accidentallyclosed through the lamp as a result of the operating member having beenmoved to circuit closing posi tion, in which, position it may remain, asit often does, until the battery is completely exhausted.

An important object of my invention is to provide a switch mechanism soconstructed as to require of the operating or circuit closing member, inclosing the circuit, a combination of movements such as are, on the onehand, extremely unlikely to be carelessly or accidentally impartedthereto and, on the other hand, are such as to enable the operator tomost naturally and easily effect the operation of the switch.

Another object of the invention is to provide a switch so constructedthat the various elements thereof may be easily assembled into a unitcapable of being readily introduced into a flashlight structure orremoved therefrom the occasion may require.

with A further object of the invention is to provide a switch unit ofthe character mentioned .which is simple in construction, in-

expensive to.manutacture and reliable in operation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent fromthe following description when taken in connection th accompanyingdrawings .in which- Figure 1 is a sectional view through a flashlighthaving one form of switch embodying my invention associated therewith.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1, the switchstructure being shown in elevation.

Figure. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 33 of Figure 1, theflashlight lamp being removed.

Figure 1 is a somewhat enlarged view in elevation of the switch unitembodying my invention.

Figure 5 is a view similar to that of Figure 2, showing a modified formof switch unit embodied in a flashlight.

Figure 6 is a view similar to that of Figure 1, showing, however, theform of switch illustrated in Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a plan view of still another modified form of switch unit.

Figure 8 is an edge elevation of the switch unit support or base shownin Figure 7.

In the drawings wherein for the purpose of illustration are shown thepreferred forms of my invention, the numeral 5 indicates a flashlighthousin or casing adapted for the reception of a battery 6, of usual.construction, employing a zinc container 7, which constitutes one poleof the battery, whereas the carbon electrode 8 constitutes the otherpole thereof. Upon the housing or casing 5, is fitted a shell or sleeve9, the outer end of which is screw threaded as shown at 10 and providedwith diametrical- 1y opposed pairsot inwardlyprojecting ears 11.

ceive thereupon the switch unit embodying my invention and indicated asa whole by the numeral 13'. The unit 13 comprises a disc 14, to theunder side of which is connected an angle bracket 15, the depending leg16 of which serves as a contact adapted to engage the carbon electrode 8as shown. The depending'leg 16 is provided with a. transveise stud orrivet 17, projecting through an elongated slot 18 formed in a pivotallyand slida-bly movable operating or circuit closing member 19. Thisoperating member is provided at one end with :1 lug or book 20, adaptedto engage and cooperate with a locking element or block 20 secured tothe disk 14, and includes a thumb piece 21 which projects through a,slot 22 formed in the housing 5. In order that the thumb piece 21 may behoused or enclosedto as great an extent as is practicable when theswitch is in its open position as indicated in Figure 4, the shell orsleeve 9' is struck a yoke 29, the legs 29' of which are. at-

tached to the disc l4 andterminate in np-. -wardly and outwardlyprojecting res lient arms 30, so shapedas to provide fingers 31,

' the operating member 19 is adapted to make operating contact, whenmoved to the position shown in Figure 2, thus establishing a circuittrom theelectrode 8 through the angle bracket 15, member 19, contact33,.contact 24, contact 25, lamp filament 34 one end ct which isconnected to thecentral contact .25

whereas the other, end is connected to the,

outer contact 27 'screwrthreaded receptacle 28, yoke 29, and sleeve 9,which inturn may be connected to the zinc electrode 7 in accordance withusual practice. It will be noted that the operating member 11;) isprovided with a lug 35 adjacent the slot or opening 18. To this lugthere is connected a tension spring 36 which, at its opposite end, isattached to the disc 14- by means of a pin or rivet 3'2.

lin the form, oi my invention shown in Figures 1 and 2, the reflector 88is provided with a central opening 39 through which the lamp 26projects. This reflector is pro- .videdwith a perlpheral flange 40,adapted to seat upon theouter screw-threaded end of. the refiector head41, and" is held in position by means ofi-the usual lens 42 which ismaintained in peripheral engagement with the flange by means of alensring 43. 1From the above description it will re p rent that uponremoving the reflectorihead 41, carrying the lens ring 43, lens42,' arni"v reflector 38, and thereafter urging the arms 30 toward each other torelease their engagement with the respective lugs 11, the switch unitmay be readily removed. When the unit is again introduced into thecasing, the

disc 14 seats'upon the ledge 12 and the arms 30, due to their inherentresiliency, assume their respective positions shown in Figure 1, thusestablishing a locking engagement between lugs 11 and the respectivearms.

The switch unit 44, shown in Figures 5 and 6, although embodying thesame principle of operation as that of the-hereinbefore described formof unit, differs somewhat in construction. The modified form of switchunit, now under consideration, comprises a disc 45 having a relativelylarge opening 46 formed therein through which projects a dependingresilient contact 4'? carried by and preferably formed integral with ayoke 48 which bridges the opening 46 and is secured 51 which. isattached to the disc 45 and provided with an arm 52overlying the opening46.,ITothis arm, is connected a tension spring 53 which in turn, isconnected to a lug 54 carried by an operating or circuit closingmember55identical with that indicated by the numeral 19. This operating memberis provided with a slot 56 adapted for the receptionofia rivet, screw orbolt, indicated by the numeral 57, by means of which the operatingmember 55 is pivotally and slidably' connected to the leg 50 of the yoke49. Theoperating member 55 is provided at oneend with a hug or hook 58adapted to cooperate with a. locking elementor block 59 carried by thedisc 45 and functioning in connection with the operating member 55 toretain the same in circuit closing position. The operating member 55,like the operating member 19, includes a thumb piece tOwhich projectsthrough the casing 5.

In the form of my invention shown in Figures 5 and 6,-T dispense withthe particular form of means shown in Figures 1 2 for locking the switchunit in position, and utilize a screw-threaded apron 61 which is adaptedto be run down into engagementwith the disc 45 to retain the the sameproperly seated upon the ledge 12. This apron is provided with a cupshaped support 62' which carries centrally thereof a screw threadedsocket 63 adapted for the reception of the lamp, 26, the lamp being soprojected through the socket 63 that the central contact 25 thereofengages the yoke 48 intermediate its ends.

When the operating member 55is moved to circuit closing position, shownin Figure 5, a circuit is established from the carbon electrode 8through the yoke 49, operating member55, contact 47, yoke 48, lamp 26,lamp socket 63, support 62, apron 61 and sleeve 9, which in turn may beconnected with the zinc electrode? inaccordance with usual. practice.

- In considering Figures Yrf'and 8, wherein is shown another fomnofswitch unit, em-

bodying my invention and indicated as a whole by the 11111361151163, itw-illbe noted that provision is made tor transverse moveelectrode 68 ofthe flashlight battery as shown in Figure 8. In the form of inventionnow under consideration, I make use of a tension spring 69 formaintaining the hook or lug 70, carried by the operating member 64, inengagement with a locking element or block 71 secured to the disc 65.This spring is connected at one end to a lug 72 carried by the operatingmember 64 and is, at its other end, connected to a pin 73 or othersuitable anchor carried by the disc 65. To the disc 65, adjacent one endof the operating member 64, is connected a U-sha'ped contact 74, in theform of a flat and more or less resilient stri of metal, one leg 75 ofthe contact 74 being adapted to engage the central contact 25 of thelamp 26, whereas the other leg 76 is bent into a vertical curved plane,as shown most clearly in Figure 7, and is adapted to be engaged by theoperating member 64.

It Will be appreciated that the switch unit 63', shown in Figures 7 and8, is adapted to be used in connection with the form of flashlight shownin Figures 5 and 6 except, of course, the slot 22 formed in the casing 5through which the thumb piece 60 projects will be formed transversely tothe casing rather than longitudinal with respect thereto and the slottedlobe of housing 23 will be arranged as shown. WVhen using the form ofswitch shown in Figures 7 and 8 in connection with the type offlashlight disclosed in Figures 5 and 6, the disc will be maintained inseated position upon the ledge 12 by means of the apron (31. Upon movingthe operating member (34 to the position shown in Figure establishedfrom the 7, a circuit will be carbon electrode 68, through the rivet 66,

operating member 64, Ushaped contact 74,

lampf26, support 62, apron 61 and'sleeve 9, which in turn may beconnected to the zinc electrode 7 in accordance with usual practice.

Inasmuch as the operation'of the several forms of units herein shown anddescribed is substantially the same, it is deemed necessary toelaborate, in this connection, only upon the form of switch shown inFigures 1 to 4, inclusive. Whenthe operating or circuit closing member19 is maintained in open circuit position, as shown in Figure 4, thetension spring 36 will be positioned somewhat oil-center with respecttothe rivet 17 and to the right of its center as viewed in Figure 4. Thespring 36 will, therefore, maintain the operating member 19 always inthe position shown in Figure 4 under normal conditions. operating memberto circuit tion shown in Figure 2, it is necessary to move the thumbpiece in the two general directions indicated by the arrows A and B,respectively, in Figure 4. As a result of closing posiing member,

To move the these movements the operating member 19 is swung slightlyaround the pivot 17 and is thereafter moved longitudinally there upon.The instant the spring 18 passes over the center of the pin 17 to theleft thereof, as viewed in Figure 4, the influence of the spring willeflect a snap movement of the operating member, thus causing the same toslightly .rotate about the rivet 17 and move into the position shown inFigure 2 thereby so positioning the lug or hook 20 as to enable it tocooperate with the locking element or block 20 to effectively lock theoperating member in circuit closing position. As aresult of theoperating member having been moved to the position shown in Figure 2,electrical contact is established between the resilient contact 33 andthe operating member as' will be readily appreciated. To open thecircuit a movement of the thumb piece 21 in the direction of the arrow Cwill cause the operating member 19 to move about the pivot 17 as an axisthereby disengaging the locking element 20. As movement of the operatingmember is continued the spring 36 is moved from. the left over thecenter of the pin 17 to the right thereof, engagement being maintainedall the while between the operating member and the resilient contact 33.The instant, however, the spring 18 passes to the right of the pivot, asviewed in Figure 4, the operating member is further moved in thedirection indicate] bythe arrow C, thereby causing the heel 77 of theoperating member to engage the face of the locking element or block 20after which the operating member is thrust outwardly in the direction ofthe arrow D, which thrusting movement is effected by reason of the camnling action setup-between the heel 77 and the face of the lockingelement 20'. Upon continued outward movement of the operatas mentioned,the heel 77 will disengage the face of the locking element 20 and due tothe influence of the spring 36 will assume the position at the end ofthe locking element, as shown in Figure 4, in which position theoperating member is positivelylocked against movement in the directionof the arrow E when subjected to a force applied in this direction.

From the above description of the operationof the operating member, itwill be apparent that in closing the switch, movement in two generaldirections must neccs sarily be imparted to thus eliminating-to a verygreat extent accidental closing of the circuit through the lamp underwill also clearly appear that the movements of the operating membernecessary to close the switch are perfectly natural ones in the hands ofone desiring to use the flashlight and that to so operate the switch asto the operating member,

extraordinary conditions. It.

at in open the circuit requires also only elator. I Y

Having .,;thus claim:

p 1. A switch comprising a pair ot'contacts, and means for electrically.connecting and disconnecting said contacts comprising a plvotal andslidable operating member re f quiring movement in two general"directions to effect electrical connection between said contacts. f"?

2. A switch "comprising a pair of contacts, an operating member forelectrically connecting one contact to the other, a support for saidoperating member, and means pivotally and .slidably connecting said op-.

crating member to said support.

3. A switch comprising a pair of contacts, an operating member forelectrically connecting one contact to the other, a support for saidoperating member, means pivotally and slidably connecting said operatingmember to saidsupport whereby said operating member may be moved firstabout its point of connection with said support as an'axis andthereafter laterally with respect to its point of connection withsaidsupport to efiect electrical 'connection between said contacts. l p u 4.A. switch comprising a pair of contacts,

a support, means tor electrically connecting said contacts comprising anoperating member pivotally and slidably connected to said support andadapted to be moved first. about its pivotal thereafter laterallythereupon to effect electrical' connection between said contacts, andmeans for locking said operating member 4 against lateral movement withrespect to its point of connection with said support' prio r to itsbeing moved nection with saidsupport.

5. A. switch comprising a pair of contacts,"

a support, means for electrically connecting said contacts comprising anoperating member pivotally and slidably connected to said support andadapted to be moved first about its pivotal connection with said supportand thereafter laterally thereupon to effect electrical connectionbetween saidcontacts, means for locking said operating member againstlateral movement with respect to its p r p 4 ficonneeted point ofconnection with said support prior to its being, moved about its pointof connection with said support, and means orresisting the movements ofsaid operating member with respect to its point of connection with saidsupport when electrically 0on nectingsaid contacts. 7

6. A switch comprising a pair ot'contacts, a support, means forelectrically connecting said contacts comprising an operating memberpivotally and slidably connected to said support and adapted to be movedfirst about a most its pivot natural manipulation on the part of theopdescribecl my invention l I I I against lateral movementwlth respectto ts connection with said support and,

about its point of con I operating m al connection with said support andthereafter laterally thereupon to efi'ect electrlcal connection betweensaid cont-acts,"

means for locking said operating member point of connection with saidsupport prior to its being moved about its point of connection with saidsupport, means for resisting themove nents of said operating memher withrespectto its su nortand adapted to be moved tirst about its pivotalconnection with said support and thereafter laterally thereupon toefi'ectelectricall gconnection between said contacts, meansiifor lockingsaid operating member against; l*ateral movement with respect to itspoint of connection with said support prior to its being moved. aboutits point of connection with said support, means for resisting themovements of said operating member with respect to and means forlocking.

operating memits point of connection with said support when electricallycon- 1 necting said co tacts, and means for locking said operating ember1n circuit closing po- ,sition upon the completion of its lateralmovement with respect to its point of conoperating-f member in circuitclosing pos1 I tion'. v

:8, A switch unit comprising a base, contacts associated with said base,a support, an operating member pivotally and slidably connected. to saidsupport and adapted to be nection with said support, the means for removed iirst inone direction and then in an other whereby electricalconnection between said contacts is established," and 'yieldable meansresisting the said movements of said operating member. 1 9. .ia'switchunit comprising a base, contacts associated with said'base, a support,anfpperating member pivotallyand slidably to said support and adapted tobe moved first in one direction and then in another 'hereby electricalconnection between sa d contacts is established, yieldable meansresisting said movements of said operating member, and means for lockingsaid ember in circuit closing position upon ments.

10. A switch unit comprising a base, contacts associated with said base,a'support,

an operating member pivotally and slidably the completion of saidmoveconnected to said support and adapted to be moved first in onedirection and then in another whereby connection between said contactsis established, yieldable means re; sisting said movements of saidoperating member, and means ,for locking said operating member incircuit closing position upon the completion of saidmovements, saidyieldable means being adapted to facilitate the operation of saidlocking means and to cooperate therewith toretain said operatingmemberin circuit closing position.

11. A flashlight switch adapted to be assembled as a unit exteriorly ofthe flashlight and thereafter introduced as a unit into the flashlightand comprising a suport a air of contacts an o ratin inember pivotallyand slidably connected to said support and adapted to be moved in onedirection and then in another to electrically connect sald contactstogether, and means first tending to retard said operating member in itsmovements to circuit closing position and thereafter tending to retainsaid operating member in circuit closing position. p 12. A flashlightswitch adapted tobe assembled as a unit exteriorly of the flash lightand thereafter introduced as a unit into the flashlight and comprising asupport, a pair of contacts, an operating mem ber pivot-ally andslidably connected to said support and adapted to. be moved in onedirection and then in another to" electrically connect said contactstogether-{means first tending to retard said operating member in itsmovements to circuit closing position and thereafter tending to retainsaid operating member in circuit closing position, and

, means cooperating with said operating member and the last named meansfor locking said operating member in circuit closing position.

13. A switch unit adapted to be assembled exteriorly of and thereafterintroduced into a flashlight as a unit-,and means for locking said unitwithin said flashlight, said means'being in the form of a yieldablespring device constituting a part of said unit and adapted forengagement with said flashlight.

14. A switch unit adapted to be assembled ezgteriorly of and thereafterintroduced as In testimony Whereof, I have aflixed -a unit into aflashlight having a battery provided with a terminal and alampassociated with said flashlight and having a terminal, said unitcomprising a pair of contacts adapted to engage the first andv secondnamed terminals respectively, a support, a circuit closing memberpivotally and slidably connected to said support and having a portionthereof adapted toproject "through the flashlight and adapted to beoperated in two directions to effect an electrical connection betweensaid contacts.

15. A switch unit adapted to be assembled a portion thereof adapted toproject through the flashlight and adapted to be operated in twodirections to effect an electrical con nection between said contacts,and means for so looking said unit within said flalshlight as tomaintain engagement between said contacts and the first and second namedterminals respectively.

16. A switch unit adapted to be assembled exteriorly of and thereafterintroduced as a unit into a flashlight having a battery provided with aterminal and alamp associated with said flashlight and having aterminal, saidunit-comprising a pair of contacts adapted to engage thefirst and sec ond named terminals respectively, a support, a circuitclosing member pivotally and slidably connected to said support andhaving a portion thereof adapted t e project through the flashlight andadapted to be operated in two directions to effect an electricalconnection between said contacts, and means for so locking said unitwithin said flashlight as to maintain engagement be-' tween saidcontacts and the first and second named terminals respectively, saidmeans being in the form of a locking element adapted for engagement withsaid support and flashlight.

my signaturev to this specification.

"EDMUND 'R. BARANY.

